Vending-machine.



u g" iK-@W M. O. GRISWOLD. VBNDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.12, 1914. 1,131,058, Patented Mar.9,1915

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M. 0. GRISWOLD. VENDING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED JAN.12, 1914.y

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MILTON o. GRIsWoLD, or ROCK IsLnND, ILLINOIS, as sIGNon To GRIsWoLD MANUFAC- TURING co., or ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION oF ILLINOIS.

vENDING-MAGHINE.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led January 12, 1914. Serial No. 811,658.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that' I, MILTON O. GRiswoLD, a citizenof the United States, residing at Rock Island, in the county of Rock Island and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vending- Machines, of which the following is a specistrong, durable, and not liable to vderangements.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character which are convenient and attractive use i A further Object of the invention is to provide operating mechanism, adapted to accurately move or advance the connected receptacles or pockets, preferably in the forni of a rotatable-carrier or druml, to the precise position, for exposing the article or articles to be vended, whereby the same may be readily removed, such mechanism also serving to positively lock the carrier O r drum against improper rotation, before or after such movement or advancement, whereby the article or articles contained in the adjacent preceding or succeeding pockets cannot be fraudulently removed.'

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure l is a perspective view of a vending machine embodving my invention, Fig. 2 is an elevation of the inner side of Operating mechanism, contained in the invention, Fig.4 3 isa plan view of one of the operating mechanisms its. assecated, carrier or. Fig-1.4. is

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

a perspective view of a rotatable head or f disk included in the operating mechanism, Fig. 5 is .an elevation of the outer side of the same, Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3, Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 5, and, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of holding or locking pawls and the casing therefor. i

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates a shell or cabinet as a whole, which is attractive in appearance, and preferably' of the design shown. The upper portion or end of this shell or cabinet is provided with a. longitudinal exposure or delivery opening 11, from or through which the article or articles to be vended are preferably removed by hand. Mounted upon the upper portion of the shell or cabinet 10 is an attractivesign board 12, adapted for the reception of the directions'for the use of the machine or advertisements or the like. The forward side of the shell or cabinet 10 is normally closed by a preferably removable door or wall 13, the upper longitudinal edge of which is adapted to be passed between relatively stationary lugs 14, forming with the door a detachable hinge joint, as more clearly shown in Fig. 6. The lower longitudinal edge of the door 13 is adapted to be slidably moved upon a floor'or bottom and held in its closed position, by a lock 16 in'- cluding a bolt 17, adapted for movement into and out of an opening formed through the floor or bottom 15.

Extending longitudinally through approximately the central portion of the shell or cabinet 10 is a preferably horizontal shaft or spindle 18, upon which are independently rotatably mounted carriers or drums 19, which are identical. While these carriers or drums are thus free to rotate upon the shaft or spindle 18, they cannot partake of perceptible longitudinal movements thereof.

As more clearlyshown in Figs. Sand' 6,

each rotatable carrier or drum comprisesl circular ends or heads 20, connected by to such construction, as satisfactory results are obtainable by connecting the pockets or receptacles by other means, such as by an endless belt, or the like. The partitions 22 are provided at their outer longitudinal edges with openings 23, which are in alinement, forming an angular groove or recess. Surrounding each carrier or drum is a preferably flexible guard-band. 24, arranged within the annular groove or recess formedl by the opening 23, as shown. The opposite ends of the guard-band 24 terminate at or adjacent the exposing or delivery opening 19 and are lsecurely attached to the upper portion or end of the shell or cabinet 10, adjacent the longitudinal walls of such ppening. The function of this guard-band is to retain the article or articles within the p ockets or receptacles of the drum or carrier during the rotation of the saine, so that they may be safely carried to the exposing or delivering opening 19.

. The numeral 25 designates operating mechanisms as a whole, corresponding in number and arrangement with the rotatable carriers cr drums. These operating mechanisms are identical` whereby a detailed de scriptipn of one will suilice for both.. Each operating mechanism is mounted upon the inner side of the door er wall 13, and includes an open or skeleton approximately circular head or disk 26, including a central hub 27, rigidly mounted upon a shaft or spindle 28, as more clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 7. As clearly shown in Fig. 7, the rotatable spindle 28 passessthroiighan apertured exterior boss 29, carried by the door or wall 13.

The numeral 30 designates an operating handle, knob or element, which is preferably rigidly and detachably connected with the outer end of the shaft or spindle 28. Rigidly connected with the inner side of the hub 27 are pins or studs 31, carrying preferably circular heads or disks 32, preferably rusto-conical in cross-section and decreasing in diameter outwardly. As clearly Shown in Fig. 3, the heads or disks 32 of the operating mechanism, are arranged near, and partly, but not wholly', to one side of the angular groove formed by the open ings 23 in the partitions 21. These heads or disks 32 are arranged exteriorly of the guard-band'24, and in such positions with respect to the angular groove formed by the openings 23, that each of them is successively moved through such angular groove, upon the rotation cf the head or disk 26, as will be apparent hereinafter. As clearly shown in Fig. 6, when the heads 32 occupy their normal vertical position, they are arranged within two of the adjacent pockets formed by the partitions 21, whereby the)T serve to positively lock the rotatable carrier or drum against movementbefore and after the advancement thereof. It is obvious that when the handle 30 is rotated, for preferablyV one-half of a revolution, in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, the upper head 32 engages the intermediate adjacent partition 21, to advance the rotatable drum or carrier a step, whereby the pocket or receptacle thereof is moved into partial or total registration with the exposing or removing opening 19, the lower head 32 traveling upwardly within and through the angular groove formed by the opening 23 and finally occupying a position in the succeeding upper adjacent pocket, whereby the rotatable carrier or drum is again locked against rotation, the other head remaining in the same pocket` until the carrier or' drum is again rotated or moved a step.

Yielding means are provided to oppose Vthe rotation or movement of the heads 32 included in each operating' mechanism and to return the same to their normalpcsition, comprising horizontal spaced rods 33, arranged upon the inner side of the wall or door 1,3, and rigidly connected therewith in spaced relation, by a supportingbracket 34.

The numeral 35 designates reciprocatory plates, provided with longitudinal flanges 36, which are apertured to receive the guide rods: 33. The inner flanges 36 slidably engage with the pins or studs 31. Connected with the outer tlanges36 are suitablystitl' retractile coil springs 37, urging the reciprocatory plates 35 inwardly.

The head or disk 26 is preferably provided at diametrically opposite points and upon their exterior faces, with coin receiving openings or passages 38, within which are arranged spaced check or coin supporting pins 39, adapted to support or hold up a coin of the proper denomination or diameter, such as a nickel, but allowing smaller coins, such as dimes or pennies and slugs of improper sizes, to drop downwardly therethrough. The head or disk 26 is provided adjacent each coin receiving recess 38 with slot shoulders 40, 40 and 41, and inwardly of and .adjacent the same with stop shoulders 42 and 42', as shown.

The numerals 43 and 44 designate locking elements, fingers or pawls, having their free 1an l ends hooked, f as shown, and. normally arments or pawls 43 and 44 are arranged 'with-.

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in' a casing 45, and pivoted thereto, yas shown at 46. The casing 45 is arranged upon the exterior surface of the wall or door 13, as more clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the same being attached thereto by any suitable means. -The hooked ends of these holding or locking elements or pawls pass through suitable -openings 46 in said door or wall. The locking elements or pawls 43 and 44 are moved or urged toward each other by a suitably stiiil retractile coil Cspring 47, connected therewith by any suitable means. Surrounding that side of the head or disk 26 toward which it is rotated in operation, is a curved coin or check guard 48, connected with attaching elements 49, Vfixed upon the inner surface of the door or wall 13. The

' or less, to advance the carrier or drum a step,

whereby the pocket thereof is moved into registration with the exposing or removing opening. Upon the irst part of the turning movement of the head or disk 26, the coin 50, engages the outer or upper holding element or pawl 43, elevating the same, whereby its yhooked endwill clear the stop shoulders 40 and 41. Upon further turning movement 0f the head or disk 26 in the same direction, the coin engages the, hooked end of the inner or lower locking element or pawl 44, to swing such hooked end downwardly, whereby the same will clear the shoulder 42. The head or disk 26 -is-nowv free to be turned for one half of a revolution, more or less, until the hooked ends of the locking elements or pawls 43 and 44 are arranged between the other sets of stop shoulders 40, 41, and 42, 42', at which time the head or disk is again locked against rotation. When thus again locked against rotation, the head ordisk 26 is so arranged that the coin within the lower coin recess 38 is still engaged by the coin guard 48, and retained thereby in a position, whereby the same is readily observable from the exteriorP of the machine, through an opening 51 formed in the wall or door 13, as more clearly shown in Fig. 1. Upon the next turning or rotating of the head or disk 26 for one half of a revolution', more or less, the coin will drop from the lower coin receiving recess 38, and fall upon the bottom or floor 15 of the shell or cabinet.

As is obvious, the inner surface of the wall or door 13 constitutes one wall of the coin yreceiving opening orfrecess 38. When an not be supported by the pins 39, but will pass there tween, the same engaging a beveled portion 52, to be deflected therebyA through a passage or recess occurring at 53,

' the coin then passing through an opening 54.

After passing through the opening 54 the coin enters an interior coin chute 56, having vWhen it is desired to secure the article or articles within one of the receptacles or pockets of either `of the rotatable carriers or drums 19, the coin, of the proper denomination, is inserted into the slot 57 and gravitates into the coin receiving opening or recess 38, to be supported therein by the pins 39. The handle 30 is now turned clockwise for onehalf of a revolution, more orless. lUpon rst turning the handle 30, the head or disk 26 is turned in the same direction, whereby the outer portion of the coin 5() encounters the hooked end of the pawl 43, elevating the same whereby it will clear the stop shoulders 40 and 41. Further turning movement of the head 26 brings the lower portion of the coin in engagement with the hooked end of the pawl 44, swinging the same inwardly so that-it will clear the shoulder 42. The movement of the head 26 may now be continued for the rest of the halfl of'the revolution, more or less, such movement being arrested when theother set of stop shoulders are 'moved into proximity 'to the pawls 43 and 44, the pawl 43 again being arranged between the stop shoulders 40 and 40 and the pawl 44-between the stop shoulders 42 and 42, whereby the head 26 is positively Vlocked against undue turning movement in both directions. Upon the turning movement of the head 26, as above stated, the heads 32 operate to advance the rotatable drum 19 a step, whereby the succeeding `pocket or article holding receptacle is moved into partial or complete registration with the exposing or removing openor recess formed by the openings 23, such lower head finally assuming the upper position within the succeeding pocket. It is t-hus seen that the heads'32 and associated elements serve v to advance the rotatable drum a step upon each one half of a revolution 'of the head 26, and also lock such drum against rotation in either direction, when the coin controlled means has locked engagement with the head 26. Upon the turning movement of the head 26, the hub 27 is also turnedvfor effecting the movement of the heads 32 carried by the studs 31. These studs are accordingly moved laterally in the arc of a circle, in slidable engagement with the inner flanges 36 of the reciprocatory plates 35, which are thereby made to move outwardly longitudinally of the guide rods 33. is opposed by the retractile coil springs 37, which together with the plates 36, serve to normally hold the head 26 and associated elements in the proper starting position, whereby the coin will be sure to enter the coin receiving recess 38. When the head 26 has been rotated for one halfof a revolution, as above explained, the coin Within the recess 38 travels therewith in a downward direction, in slidable engagement with the guard 48, and is prevented thereby from falling out of the opening 38. When the head 26 is again locked against movement, this coin will still remain in the recess 38, which now o ccupies the lower position, such coin being engaged by the lower end of the guard 48, which overlaps or extends partially across the then lower recess 38. When in this position the coin may be observed from the exterior of the machine through the opening 51. The next time the head 26 is turned for one half of a revolution, more or less, the coin, drops from the recess 38 before such recess can reach or move near to the slot 57. When an improper coin is employed, that is one having too small a diameter, such coin will drop through the space between the pins 39, strike againstthe beveled portion 52, be deflected thereby through the passage or space occurring at 53, pass through the opening 54 in the head 26,'through the interior chute 56, and finally into the exterior chute 56', to the operator. It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

n Having described my invention,l claim z- 1. A vending machine of the character described, comprising a plurality of movable connected article holding pockets, a pivoted head disposed near and upon one side of the pocket, a pair of spaced members secured to one side of the pivoted head and arranged to be moved into and out of engagement with the walls of the pockets to advance the same and hold them against improper movement, and means to move the pivoted head. 2i A machine of the character described,

This movement of the plates 36.

comprising a plurality of movably mounted connected article holding-receptacles, a pivotally manually' operated operating element arranged near and upon one side of the adjacent receptacles, and a laterally extending member carried by the said element to rotate therewith and have slidable engagement during a portion of its movement with the outer extension of lone of the receptacles.`

3. A machine of the character described, comprising a plurality of movably mounted connected article holding receptacles having their side walls provided with openings in registration for forming in effect a groove, a rotatable element mounted near the connected receptacles, and a plurality of members carried by the rotatable element and so arranged that when one of them is operating in slidable engagement with the side wall of one receptacle the other is operating within the groove.

4. A machineof the character described,

ment arranged` near and upon one side of the rotatable drum, and a member carried by the said element and adapted to operate in engagement with the partitions.

5. A machine of the character described, comprising a rotatable drum provided with a plurality of lateral extensions, a rotatable element arranged near and upon one side of the drum, and a member carried by the rotatable element for rotation therewith and arranged to successively engage and disengage the lateral extensions.

6. A machine of the character described, comprising a rotatable carrier provided with a plurality of spaced lateral extensions, a rotatable element mounted near and upon one side of the drum, and a pair of spaced. members carried by the rota-table element and arranged for movement into and out of the spaces occurring between the lateral extensions. L

7. A machine of the character described,

comprising a rotatable carrier provided with laterally extending spaced partitions afford.

ing article holding chambers therebetween and provided near their outer edges with openings, a guard-band surrounding the rotatable carrier and arranged within said openi ings, a rotatableelement arranged near and upon one side ofthe carrier exteriorly of the guard-band, and a pair of spaced members carried by the rotatable element and arranged to pass through said openings into the chambers occurring between the partitions.

9. A machine of the character described,

comprising a movable carrier provided with near the movable carrier, a plurality of members carried by the head and arranged to engage with the lateral extensions, plates arranged upon opposite sides of the members and engaging portions thereof, and `yielding means connecting the plates.

11. A machine of the character described,

' comprising a movable carrier provided with lateral extensions, a rotatable head mounted near the movable carrier, a plurality of members carried by the head and arranged to engage with the lateral extensions, guide rods arranged near the members, reciprocatory plates mounted upon the guide rods and having slidable engagement with the members, and retractile coil con-A nesting the plates and tending to move them toward each other.

12. A machine of the character described, comprising a rotatable drum provided' with radially extending article holding pockets, a head rotatably mounted near and upon one side of the drum to rotate in a plane at approximately a right angle to the plane of rotation of the drum, and a plurality of members secured to the drumy to move therewith and arranged for movement into and out of the pockets t9 engage and disengage with the walls thereof.

13. A machine of the character described, comprising a rotatable carrier provided with spaced lateral extensions, a plurality of headed-studs arranged normally between certain of the lateral extensions and over; lapped thereby, and a rotatable head carrying the headed-studs. c

14. A machine of the character described, comprising a rotatable carrier provided with spaced lateral extensions, a plurality of spaced members normally arranged between certain of the lateral extensions and partly overlapped thereby, and a rotatable head connected with the members to move the same. c.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MILTON O. GRISWOLD.

Witnesses:

SARAH E. WoR'rmNeroN, F. J. MCKAY.

Asad. 

